Michelle ThompsonA French woman scammed out of €830,000 by individuals pretending to be actor Brad Pitt has faced widespread ridicule, prompting French broadcaster TF1 to cancel a program about her.
The show, aired on Sunday, highlighted the story of Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, who believed she was in a relationship with Pitt for 18 months. Speaking on a popular French YouTube channel, Anne defended herself, stating, “I got played, and that’s why I came forward—I’m not the only one.”
Brad Pitt’s representative told Entertainment Weekly it was “awful” that scammers exploit fans and warned against responding to unsolicited messages, especially from celebrities without social media accounts. However, Anne, who reportedly lost her savings and attempted suicide three times since the scam was revealed, became a target for online mockery. Netflix France teased the situation with a post promoting “four Brad Pitt movies (for real),” while Toulouse FC issued and later apologized for a joke referencing the incident.
TF1 withdrew the segment on Anne after her story sparked harassment, although the episode remains accessible online. According to the report, Anne’s ordeal began in February 2023 when she downloaded Instagram. She was soon contacted by someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother, who said her son “needed a woman like her.” The next day, someone posing as Pitt reached out. Unfamiliar with social media, Anne did not realize she was being scammed.
The scammers claimed “Pitt” could not access his funds due to divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie, prompting Anne to send €9,000 for customs fees on gifts. Over time, the demands escalated, including fake stories of kidney cancer treatment supported by AI-generated images of Pitt in a hospital bed. Unable to find those photos online, Anne believed they were personal selfies. Eventually, her €775,000 divorce settlement also went to the scammers.
Anne’s daughter tried for over a year to convince her mother of the deception but was unsuccessful. When gossip outlets revealed Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon, Anne’s suspicions grew. Scammers responded with a fake news clip featuring an AI anchor discussing Pitt’s “exclusive relationship” with Anne. However, when Pitt and de Ramon confirmed their relationship in mid-2024, Anne ended the contact.
Scammers later impersonated an FBI agent to extract more money, prompting Anne to involve the police. She is now living with a friend and remains financially destitute. In an emotional plea, Anne urged authorities to catch the scammers, describing her life as reduced to a single room of belongings.
While many online users mocked Anne, others defended her, pointing out the sophisticated use of AI and deepfake technology. A Libération op-ed called her a “whistleblower,” highlighting the growing risks of cyber fraud and AI manipulation.
